What is There to Do in Riverside Park NYC

Often looked over because of its big brother, Central Park, Riverside Park in NYC is a slightly underutilized riverfront park. Tucked between 62nd and 158th Streets in Manhattan’s West Side, this wide area of green sits on the edge of the Hudson River. Visitors love the open space, small crowds, and uninhibited view of the Hudson that provides a variety of recreational opportunities.

Pier 1

Pier 1 is now a recreational river dock where visitors can fish, languish in the river’s views, or take in some delicious grub at Pier 1 Cafe. Open air dining adds to the already unique ambience. The menu is casual and made with fresh ingredients. In lieu of table service, the cafe offers an ordering system that allows guests to order their food and drinks as they want them. Customers can choose from casual fare like beef hot dogs with piquant sauerkraut, grilled chicken wraps with spicy mayo and red cabbage, and a veggie burger on a brioche roll. If customers want something a little more upscale, Maine lobster rolls, blackened salmon with black beans and tomato salad, and grilled mahi mahi tacos class up the menu a little bit.

Kayaking

Experienced kayakers can launch from Pier 1 but if beginners want to experience kayaking, then they should visit the Downtown Boathouse. This all volunteer, non-profit organization provides free public access to the harbor with free kayak instruction programs. The 72nd Street dock is located inside Riverside Park and provides the free lessons from June through September from 10am to 5pm.

Playtime for Your Pooch

The 105th Street Dog Park is a volunteer run and maintained park that operates under the Riverside Park Conservancy. The park is a safe place for dogs to cavort and roam while their owners socialize on benches. Running water is provided for six months out of the year. Every Sunday the board hosts a Sunday in the Run where everyone brings their dogs for playtime and while their canines have a blast, the owners rake, scoop, and otherwise maintain the dog park to keep it as clean and safe as possible. Currently the group is hoping to raise enough funds to create safe fencing and separate entrances for owners of small dogs.

Bird Sanctuary

In 1841, renowned naturalist John James Audubon purchased thirty acres of land just two miles north of what is now Riverside Park’s bird sanctuary. In 1916, the Women’s League for the Protection of Riverside Park became the caretakers and encouraged planting of trees and plants in later years. The grove quickly became intended for the sanctuary of migrating and local birds. Birdwalks are led by Riverside Park volunteers during the fall and spring migrations as well as a Christmas Count every December, making this a great place to take the family for a bit of nature in the middle of an urban jungle.

The Hippo Playground Project

This project is run by volunteers and works to maintain the playground and to provide free activities throughout the year. The annual Spring Fair provides train rides, ball pits, a merry-go-round, and inflatable obstacle courses. Art in the Park takes place every summer where parents can bring their children for free art classes Monday through Friday. The newly renovated Hippo Parkhouse is available for rent for birthday parties, providing a perfect sheltered place in the middle of the park.

Riverside Park has many amenities that make this one of the city’s best worst-kept secrets. Playgrounds, plenty of recreational fields, and the various volunteer groups that turn this park into a community make Riverside a truly special oasis in the middle of New York City.